How to Adjust Grass Hinges

Written by kimberly johnson| 13/05/2017

Grass hinges are also called face frame hinges and European hinges. They are concealed hinges installed on the interior of a cabinet door, giving the cabinetry a clean look. Grass hinges have a different design from most other hinges, which makes them quick to adjust without having to remove them. Instead of just having screw holes, the hinges have multiple screws that move along tracks to control each door's vertical and horizontal alignment.

Close the cabinet door and examine the vertical alignment of the door compared to the nearest door. Look at the tops and bottoms of the two doors carefully to see if they are perfectly even. If they are not, decide whether the first door needs to move up or down.

Open the first cabinet door and locate the grass hinge at the lower side of the door where it is attached to the cabinet wall, not on the cabinet door. Locate the height adjuster screw positioned above the hinge.

Insert a screwdriver into the screw and turn it clockwise to raise the door and counterclockwise to lower the door until it is the proper height. Repeat the process with the hinge at the top of the door. Close the door and look at the height to see if it is correct.

Open the cabinet door back up and locate the screw on the inside left of the hinge. This screw controls the horizontal, or side-to-side, movement of the door. Insert a screwdriver into the screw and turn it clockwise or counterclockwise. Repeat the process with the hinge at the top of the door. Close the door and check to ensure there is no gap along the side edge of the door.

Open the door and locate the final screw on the right side of the hinge that controls the depth of cabinet door. Turn the screw clockwise or counterclockwise until all sides of the door touch the cabinet equally when the door is closed. Repeat the process with the hinge at the top of the door.

Tip

Some grass hinges only have two screws that control the door's horizontal and vertical motion. The door's depth cannot be controlled on these models.

Warning

Be careful not to adjust the horizontal alignment too much, as this can cause the grass hinge to detach from the side of the cabinet.

Tips and warnings

Some grass hinges only have two screws that control the door's horizontal and vertical motion. The door's depth cannot be controlled on these models.

Be careful not to adjust the horizontal alignment too much, as this can cause the grass hinge to detach from the side of the cabinet.